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Fair & Square
Artist: John Prine
Label: Oh Boy Records
Length: 14 tracks/62:16
Fans have had to wait patiently for nine years for a release of new material of singer/songwriter John Prine. When an artist has a lengthy break in their output, it usually raises concerns - have they lost their muse ?
Prine quickly puts any fears to rest with his opening track. “The Glory of True Love” hits an easy groove as Prine reflects on how the wonders of the world are insignificant compared to the magic of expressed in the title. The arrangement features a brief rockabilly guitar solo from Jason Wilber and fine accordian work from Phil Parlapiano, a multi-talented musician who also piano and organ to various tracks.
Another musician that makes a substantial contribution to the project is Pat McLaughlin. He co-authored the second track with Prine, “Crazy as a Loon.” The tune demonstrates that Prine still has the knack for crafting lyrics that examine the world in a new light. Phrases like “.. I had a picture of another man’s wife, Tattooed on my arm..” create instant mental images as Prine weaves a new version of the trials and tribulations of Hollywood. McLaughlin adds the harmony vocal as well a mandolin and electric guitar.
The centerpiece of the recording is “Some Humans Ain’t Human,” which describes Prine’s view of the current situation in our country. He explains that “...jealousy and stupidity don’t equal harmony…” and later adds - “.. Or you’re feeling your freedom, and the world’s off your back - some cowboy from Texas starts his own war in Iraq.” The song presents a simple but effective indictment of the forces Prine holds responsible for the problems we face as a nation.
Other memorable performances include a cover of “Clay Pigeons,” a tune composed by the late Blaze Foley. Prine wraps his world -weary voice around the tale of a man grasping for a way out of the downward spiral. The band turns the A.P. Carter song “Bear Creek Blues” into a rockabilly rave-up with Wilber and McLaughlin tearing it up on guitar. The disc closes with two bonus tracks. “The Other Side of Town” is a live cut from a Ryman Auditorium show with Prine on guitar and a vocal that spins the tale of a man in dead marriage who pretends to listen to his wife put-downs. But he has developed the ability to transport himself to a place of peace and quiet. Prine is able to find humor amidst the wreckage of human emotions .
The recording does suffer a bit due to the majority of songs falling in the same range of tempo. And even a songwriter as skilled as Prine will release some tunes that fall short of the standards set by classics like “Sam Stone” or several tracks on this disc. On the plus side, the rotating cast of musicians that includes Alison Krauss on harmony vocals and Jerry Douglas on dobro create rich musical landscapes in support of Prine’s storytelling.
That said, it is wonderful to hear this new recording. It has been to long a wait for the latest batch of fresh material from Prine. His fans will buy this disc without hesitation. Those of you who haven’t fallen under his musical spell should find plenty to like on Fair & Square. Let’s give him plenty of support so that we won’t have to wait another nine years for his next release.
Mark Thompson 6/4/205
